Thu, Apr 12, 2018
Adds Fleet Of Four Modified BD-5J Jets
Aerial Productions International, (API) is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nalls Aviation family. You may have heard of the BD-5J, known as “The World’s Smallest Jet.” Nalls Aviation already owns the exact jet sanctioned by Guinness, formerly registered as N3038V as a static jet. Recently, Bob Bishop called and asked the company to step in and help with his fleet of 4 flying BDs.
API has provided U.S. Government contract services for over 17 years. Bishop's fleet of BD micro-jets has been specially modified (proprietary) to further reduce their already very small radar cross section signature, and to provide a higher top speed. The jets have been certified by a USG agency as a Type-1 Cruise Missile Simulator. They are the only company to be able to supply this capability of actual, manned, flying aircraft that simulate cruise missiles for research and development, and operational test and evaluation. They have been dubbed “SMART-1” for Small Manned Aerial Radar Targets.
Currently based in Tucson, AZ, Nalls sees increased demand for the tiny jets on both coasts, and in the southern US in the next couple of years.
Nalls Aviation anticipates expanding the current fleet of 4 to roughly 8 or 9 flying jets over the next couple of years, from the approximately 15 ready to build kits on hand at API.
There also doesn’t appear to any shortage of available pilots. Several former military tactical aviators have expressed their desire to fly the tiny jets, when Nalls needs help.
The jets are not likely to be seen at airshows, except as static display. The registration prohibits just flying these national assets just for fun, but the one that holds the Guinness Record will likely be part of the team as a static, non-flying display to educate potential customers how small the actual airplanes are.
(Image provided with Nalls Aviation news release)
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